God’s covenant of peace promises a future of freedom, safety, and divine presence.
God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel—active around 593-571 BC while in Babylonian exile—to promise divine protection for His people. Within this promise, the LORD proclaims, “I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.” (v.25) In the broader context of Ezekiel 34, the shepherds of Israel were chastised for their failure to care for the flock, and God therefore declared that He Himself would intervene on behalf of His people (Ezekiel 34:2-4, 34:23-24). By stating that He will “eliminate harmful beasts,” the LORD pointed to a future environment where threats and dangers, literal and figurative, would no longer menace His covenant community.
The phrase “I will make a covenant of peace” signifies God’s binding commitment to restore wholeness and security, echoing the Hebrew concept of “shalom.” This peace would extend beyond the cities into the “wilderness” and “woods,” geographical features signifying places often vulnerable to predators or hostile forces. According to this verse, no matter how remote the location, God’s protective favor would create safety for His people, freeing them from fear of attack and establishing them in restful confidence.
Moreover, this vision foreshadows an even greater shepherd, tying into the prophecy where the Lord pledges, “Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David” (Ezekiel 34:23-24), which Christians later see fulfilled in Jesus Christ (John 10:11, 14). As the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, Jesus embodies God’s ultimate covenant of peace, delivering believers from the powers that threaten them and granting rest in the security of His care.
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Ezekiel 34:25 meaning
God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel—active around 593-571 BC while in Babylonian exile—to promise divine protection for His people. Within this promise, the LORD proclaims, “I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.” (v.25) In the broader context of Ezekiel 34, the shepherds of Israel were chastised for their failure to care for the flock, and God therefore declared that He Himself would intervene on behalf of His people (Ezekiel 34:2-4, 34:23-24). By stating that He will “eliminate harmful beasts,” the LORD pointed to a future environment where threats and dangers, literal and figurative, would no longer menace His covenant community.
The phrase “I will make a covenant of peace” signifies God’s binding commitment to restore wholeness and security, echoing the Hebrew concept of “shalom.” This peace would extend beyond the cities into the “wilderness” and “woods,” geographical features signifying places often vulnerable to predators or hostile forces. According to this verse, no matter how remote the location, God’s protective favor would create safety for His people, freeing them from fear of attack and establishing them in restful confidence.
Moreover, this vision foreshadows an even greater shepherd, tying into the prophecy where the Lord pledges, “Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David” (Ezekiel 34:23-24), which Christians later see fulfilled in Jesus Christ (John 10:11, 14). As the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, Jesus embodies God’s ultimate covenant of peace, delivering believers from the powers that threaten them and granting rest in the security of His care.